Engagements on Canada’s Next A.I. Strategy ⇥ betakit.com
Josh Scott, BetaKit:
Earlier this week, Canada’s innovation ministry shared the results from the 30-day national consultation it held late last year to inform the country’s upcoming AI strategy. The consultation included feedback from 28 members of Canada’s AI task force, appointed by AI Minister Evan Solomon, which included representatives from industries and fields from tech to academia.
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All of the AI strategy task force member submissions can be read in full here. The official government report on those submissions was put together with a mix of AI tools; BetaKit, instead, assigned a human reporter to review all 348 pages.
I read the high-level summary (PDF) and it very much has the vibe of being created with A.I. — it is unbearably dull.
There are many other examples, including differing views on digital sovereignty, regulatory sequencing (what should be prioritized first), and inclusion. Put 28 experts on a panel and there is obviously going to be differing views. Indeed, that’s the point of gathering a diversity of perspectives. In theory, the government got what it asked for with expert reports that frequently point to uncomfortable questions. However, many disappear in the government summary that smooths over urgency and re-frames hard choices as balanced policy choices.
Perhaps my favourite passage is on page 9 of the summary (PDF):
Stakeholders were divided between optimism for AI’s potential and skepticism about its risks. Supporters see opportunities for productivity gains and economic growth, while critics warn of ethical, environmental and social harms.
It is entirely accurate, yes, but it is so funny to me to summarize the arguments raised by critics in this breezy, balanced matter. It says nothing and yet gives the impression that these are of similar weight.